DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen was in for a surprise when he finished skating Sunday morning and returned to the dressing room.

Someone had blocked off his stall with dozens of strips of red and white tape (photo here).

“The boys are having a little fun with Mule,'' coach Mike Babcock said. “The good thing about Mule is he doesn't get mad.''

But he does intend to get even.

“One of the young kids are growing up a little too fast here,'' Franzen said.

Asked who he suspects is the culprit, Franzen said, “One of the fastest guys, youngest guys,'' which immediately ruled out Tomas Holmstrom, who is in the next stall.

It's not Franzen's birthday, and he hasn't reached a milestone lately, so what's the occasion?

“I don't know,'' Franzen said. “But he's been all over me this morning. He stole some of my equipment and now he did this. I don't know how to take that. Maybe I have to do something with his car. … Make it disappear or something.''

Teammate Henrik Zetterberg chimed in, “I saw it, so it wasn't me. I had nothing to do with this one.''

Suspicion centered on Darren Helm, who said, “I know who did it, but I'm pleading the Fifth.''

Franzen was asked how long it will take him to clean it up.

“I'm not going to touch it,'' he said. “So the guy who did this should have a little bad feelings because he gave the equipment managers more (work).''